The Commission of Inquiry into Poverty in Australia investigated the relationship between poverty and education. Specifically, the Commission was concerned with cultural disadvantages among the poor, the poverty cycle, and adequacy of existing education and cultural services for the poor. The Commission maintained that improved education for…

Some students, who complete a preparatory or pre-vocational course in the vocational education and training (VET) sector, re-enroll in the same "enabling" course or at the same level of qualification in following years. Since one of the primary aims of enabling courses is to provide students with remedial education or preparatory…

The skill needs of Australian high-technology start-up companies and the implications of those skill needs for vocational education and training (VET) were examined through a study of 14 start-ups' inherent abilities to access the VET system and on VET's relevance to their needs. The case studies documented a strong demand and role for VET in the…

A survey was designed to assist in constructing a picture of new vocational education and training professionals working in organizational settings in Australia. They were practitioners whose positional titles included training and development (T&D), human resource development, or human resource practitioners who work within organizational…

Researchers examined the management and conduct of assessments at the diploma and advanced diploma levels within training packages across Australia. The principal data collection activities were as follows: (1) a literature review; (2) examination of seven training packages; (3) a survey completed by 28 registered training organizations and 33…

Manufacturing in Australia is a large and diverse industry, employing more than 1.1 million people. Despite its decline in relative importance (from providing 16.3% of jobs to providing 13.4%), it is still the second largest employing industry. Manufacturing makes up the major component of exports, accounting for 51 percent in 1994-95. Over the…

Mining is the second smallest industry division in terms both of employment and number of business units in Australia. Employment accounts for less than 1 percent of all jobs. The outlook for employment is clouded by continuing uncertainty in Australia's main Asian markets and by the longer-term impact of environmental concerns. Mining industry…

Survey and case study data were analyzed to determine differences between the credibility and effectiveness of support teachers teaching mathematics. Results indicated the importance of cooperation between mathematics teachers and support teachers and significant differences between the perceived roles and abilities of the two groups. Includes…

Asserts that the government of Papua New Guinea has developed a successful program of improved primary school teacher education since 1990. Outlines the origins and development of teacher education in that nation from missionary-directed centers in 1960 to a government-supported program of nine preservice centers at present. (CFR)

Reports a study of pay equity among both academic and nonacademic staff at 18 Australian universities. Addresses topics including employment level, tenure (faculty), age differences, years in higher education, family needs, employment qualifications, career progression, job content, and research productivity (faculty). (MSE)

This report summarizes the results of a project to develop a professional competence description for teachers in technical and further education (TAFE) in New South Wales to inform the initial and continuing educational needs of the profession. Chapter 1 discusses the conception of competence that underpins professional practice and includes a…

As a step in ensuring positive and constructive links between business and education through research, this study was conducted to assess employer views of student assessment and credentialing processes in the Northern Territory (Australia), replicating a study conducted in New South Wales (Australia). A questionnaire was completed by 206…

As a result of studies on fitting and machining apprentices attitudes toward employers, a study was conducted to obtain the attitudes of a sample of employers toward apprenticeship. Three hundred questionnaires were distributed to employers of fitting and machine students studying at a number of Sydney (Australia) Technical Colleges. An…

This paper is concerned with the strategies being adopted for vocational education and training (VET) in Australia and the lessons that could be learned for them from policies in other countries. Six issues are considered in the paper, each relates to or more of the objectives and particular strategies in the Australia's National Strategy for…

This paper analyzes the effectiveness of teacher selection practices with reference to literature sources and recommends experimentation with a structured interview approach based on life style themes. The first variable in selection involves identification of characteristics of effective teachers. Some agreement concerning particular teaching…